Dr. Amy Truong

Pure Dental

6230 10th St. N., Ste. 520, Oakdale

651-731-3064

PureDentalMN.com

Nutrient-rich foods are a great way to prevent cavities and build strong teeth. Calcium is an especially important aspect in developing strong, healthy teeth and enamel in children to prevent tooth decay. It is often thought that dairy is the main source for calcium, however, there are many other foods such as broccoli, almonds and bok choy that are great supplements for calcium in the diet. In addition, crunchy fruits and vegetables have high fiber content that helps increase salivary flow. For example, celery, carrots and apples can help clean teeth naturally between meals. Early habits of eating healthy, whole foods can help children grow strong teeth to prevent decay their entire life.

    

Dr. John D. Laughlin III

Health Centered Dentistry

N7915-902 St., River Falls, WI

715-426-7777

HealthCenteredDentistry.com

A few points I would contribute include the issue of mouth-breathing and the cumulative effect of general anesthesia.

Mouth breathing contributes to the susceptibility of tooth decay. Lip closure and nose breathing reduce dry mouth and thereby increase decay resistance.

Additionally, mouth breathing and corrective early orthopedic orthodontics have a circular relationship. Reducing mouth breathing can have a very positive, natural impact on jaw development reducing the need for orthopedic orthodontics. Ideal early intervention with orthopedic orthodontics can reduce the root causes of mouth breathing thus reducing that situation and creating a cascade of benefits.

A Mayo Clinic study by David Warner, M.D. has found a link between multiple exposures to general anesthesia in infants less than 24 months old and higher risks of developing ADHD. It is therefore important to take both appropriate preventative care and wisely account for this in health care decisions.

 

Dr. Madelyn Pearson

Natural Smiles Dental Care

4700 Lexington Ave. N, Ste. D, Shoreview

651-483-9800

NaturalSmilesDental.com

Preventative orthopedic orthodontics is one of my greatest passions. I love working with children whose jaw development is tending toward crowding and mal-occlusion and helping them to naturally correct that growth trend. Watching the body respond to gentle forces, growing and developing in positive directions instead of ones that would end up requiring extractions or other types of jaw surgery, is one of the best parts of being a holistic dentist. We use very gentle, unobtrusive ALF appliances (Advanced Lightwire Functionals) that work with the body’s natural growth forces to encourage jaw development and occlusion improvements